Berthier, Alexandre (1638-1709). Born in France. Came to Canada in 1665; and in 1666 commandant at Fort St. Jean, and led expeditions against the Iroquois. In 1672 granted the seigniory of Berthier in Bellechasse County, Quebec. Index: F Commands militia in campaign against Iroquois, 209. Bib.: Charlevoix, History of New France.
Bethune, Alexander Neil (1800-1879). Born in Glengarry, Ontario. In 1823 ordained deacon, and in 1824, priest. In 1847 archdeacon of York (Toronto), and in 1867 consecrated coadjutor bishop of Toronto; succeeded to the bishopric on the death of Bishop Strachan. Bib.: Rose, Cyc. Can. Biog.; Cyc. Am. Biog.; Mockridge, The Bishops of the Church of England in Canada and Newfoundland.
Bethune, John. Born in Scotland, 1751. Emigrated in his early years to South Carolina, and was chaplain of the loyal militia. In 1786 resided in Montreal; minister of the Presbyterian church there; afterwards appointed to a mission in Glengarry. Index: S Presbyterian minister, reputed author of petition, for repeal of Marriage Act, 161, 162; the first Presbyterian minister to arrive in Upper Canada, 164; received stipend from the government, 164. Bib.: Taylor, Brit. Am.; Macdonell, Sketches Illustrating the Early Settlement and History of Glengarry in Canada.
Betts. T Proposes construction of European and North American Railway, 26, 27.
Beveridge. T Seconds the address in New Brunswick Assembly, 115.
Biard, Pierre (1565-1622). Came to Port Royal in 1611, with Masse—the first of their order in New France. The relations of the Jesuits with Poutrincourt and his son Biencourt were far from cordial; little or no progress was made with the conversion of the Micmacs; and in 1613 Biard sailed with Masse for Mount Desert, with an expedition sent out by Madame de Guercheville. They had hardly begun the new settlement, when Argall swooped down, seized their ship, plundered their property, and carried Biard and some of his companions prisoners to Virginia. Argall brought the Jesuit back with him to Acadia the same year; the vessel in which he sailed was carried out to sea, and after a series of adventures Biard finally reached France and remained there. Bib.: Biard, Relation; Carayon, Première Mission des Jésuites au Canada; Parkman, Pioneers of France.
Bibaud, Michel (1782-1857). Educated at the College of St. Raphael. Index: L Historian, his praise of Talon, 113. P On Papineau, 56. Hd On Haldimand, 291. Bib.: Works: Épîtres, Satires, Chansons Epigrammes, et autre Pièces de Vers; Histoire du Canada et des Canadiens sous la Domination Anglaise. For biog., see Morgan, Cel. Can.
Bidwell, Barnabas. R Election contests, 63.
Bidwell, Marshall Spring (1799-1872). Born in New England. Came to Canada with his father, 1812, and practised law. In 1824-1835 a member of the Upper Canada Assembly; in 1829 elected Speaker of the House, and re-elected, 1835. One of the leaders of the popular party of Upper Canada, and his outspoken sympathy with the Rebellion of 1837-1838 resulted in his banishment. Index: Mc Elected Speaker of the House, 151; defends Mackenzie, 181, 182; moves committee of inquiry, 184; moves Mackenzie's eligibility, 243; discountenances royal veto, 251; again elected Speaker of the House, 261; Head declines to make him judge, 377; defeated for the House, 380; refuses nomination to Convention, 343; gives legal advice to rebels, 343; his part in the Rebellion, 357; accepts voluntary exile, 358. R One of the leaders of the popular party in Upper Canada Assembly, 66, 67. Bib.: Dent, Can. Por. and Upper Canadian Rebellion; Morgan, Cel. Can.; Cyc. Am. Biog.; Davin, The Irishman in Canada.
Biencourt de Poutrincourt, Charles (1583-1638?) Son of Jean de Biencourt. Accompanied his father to Port Royal in 1605. Returned to France in 1610; made vice-admiral in the seas of New France, and, somewhat unwillingly, brought with him to Acadia in 1611 the Jesuits Biard and Masse. While absent from Port Royal, the fort was attacked and burnt by Argall in 1613. Biencourt partially rebuilt Port Royal, and was still there in 1618. Returned to France some time before 1621, and appointed director of the Royal Academy of Paris, which position he held up to the time of his death. Bib.: Parkman, Pioneers of France; Patterson, Last Days of Charles de Biencourt (R.S.C., 1896).